Portland Winterhawks/Matthew Wolfe
U.S. Division, USA Hockey

Dustin Wolf named to Team USA’s preliminary roster

Written by Lizz Child on

 

Everett Silvertips star, Dustin Wolf, has been named to Team USA’s preliminary roster for the World Junior Championships which is expected to start at the end of December. For most fans of the Western Hockey League, this comes as no surprise as Wolf has had a stellar career in the league, posting a save percentage of .928 or better in each of his three seasons.

While many fans of Team USA are looking to Spencer Knight of the USHL as the leading goaltender heading into the World Junior Championship, we know that anything can happen, such as Joel Hofer stepping up for Canada at the 2020 World Juniors and leading them to gold. Should Wolf be given the opportunity, he may find himself in a position to do the same with Team USA.

The US-based goaltender was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. Wolf signed with the Flames in May of this year.

International experience

One of three goaltenders named to USA’s preliminary roster, this will be the third time Wolf represents the United States on the international stage. He has previously competed for Team USA during the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2020 World Junior Championship.

At the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Wolf won two of his three games, with the loss coming in OT against a Team Canada group that included Dylan Cozens and Alexis Lafreniere. Of his two wins, one was a 6-0 shutout in a preliminary round against the Czech Republic.

Wolf did take part in the 2020 WJC, seeing one game. The game turned out to be an outlier for the California native as he allowed three goals and posted a .850 sv%. However, he may get another opportunity in just under a month. If he can replicate his WHL success at the international level, he could become a household name outside of WHL regions.

The Wolf of the WHL

During his first season with the Silvertips, Wolf spent the year serving as the backup to none other than the standout goaltender, Carter Hart. In the post-season, Wolf started in one playoff game in which he posted a shutout. Following Hart’s graduation from the WHL, Wolf did not let the momentum slide. He has continued to collect accolades of his own over the last three years.

In both of the last two seasons, Wolf earned himself the lowest goals against and the highest save percentage of all WHL netminders.

From the shortened 2019-2020 season, Wolf was named the top goaltender of both the WHL and CHL with a .935sv% and 1.88 GAA over 46 games.

Things to come

Dustin Wolf (photo-Chris Mast)

Everett’s goaltending dynasty does not look to be going anywhere as Braden Holt will look to pick up right where Wolf has left off should the Flames decide to move him into the AHL during the coming season. All of this coming after the 2021 WJC event is set to conclude. At 17-years-old, Holt may have a couple of goes at the World Junior Championships ahead of him. He, like Wolf, would be representing Team USA at the international level.

Lizz has been an avid fan of the WHL, especially the Portland Winterhawks, since discovering hockey. During the NHL season, she works for the San Jose Sharks 50/50 raffle and considers it a welcome break from her "essential" full-time job. She is also a full-time student majoring in journalism and is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the DUBNetwork team.